Misty in Chelmsford

It is a misty morning in Chelmsford but the sun should soon break through and stay out for the rest of the week (except for at night, of course) and that is terrific news because the important match beckoning will be able to evolve properly and be shaped by good cricket, not the dreaded rain.

Warwickshire are one good performance away from promotion. And, of course, they deeply desire promotion. As one of the "big" counties, it is a poor show for them to be in either Second Division, let alone both.

I just wonder whether, looking at the bigger picture, promotion would be ideal for them. The gap in quality between the divisions grows every year so the question is; would the Bears' squad, still deep in transition, be stronger in the long-term for developing further, abetted by the confidence of good results, in Division Two next season, rather than going up and having to meet much sterner challenges in Division One with coaching staff and players still in the process of getting their ducks in a row.

Of course, everyone at Warwickshire will be going flat out for promotion this week and next. But I just wonder, having witnessed a lot of patchy cricket from the Bears this season, whether, if they do miss out, there be will more silver lining than cloud.

In these days of uncertainty and flux for cricket, by the way, isn't it reassuring that there is one thing that, rain or shine, can be squarely depended upon? The length of a cricket pitch was laid down as 22 yards in 1744 and has never varied.

Such a shame. If, all those years ago, it had been laid down as 23 yards, two and a half centuries later I would have been an England bowler renowned for an ability to drop leg-spinners right on a length.